Whether you realize it or not, burn injuries are caused by a multitude of accidents, including car accidents, electrocution, and toxic exposure. Burn injuries are not only very painful, but can lead to permanent scarring and other physical damages.No matter what caused your serious burns, hire a Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer from Balzarini & Watson right away if you have been physically and financially damaged due to another person’s negligence or recklessness.

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH) identifies some common risks associated with burns:

“Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring and, in serious cases, shock and even death. They also can lead to infections because they damage your skin’s protective barrier … After a third-degree burn, you need skin or synthetic grafts to cover exposed tissue and encourage new skin to grow. First- and second-degree burns usually heal without grafts.”

Burns can occur in four different degrees.
First-degree burns are minor and require little more attention than running them under cold water or applying burn cream. Once a burn reaches the second layer of skin (epidermis), it becomes much more serious. Second-degree burns can cause blistering and infections and therefore require medical attention.

If the burn reaches into the fatty tissue, it is a third-degree burn that can cause nerve damage. The symptoms of a third-degree burn include lack of pain or feeling in the area, leathery to the touch, and white or tan in color. Fourth-degree burns are the worst and reach into the muscle or bone, resulting in lack of feeling, charred skin, permanent nerve damage and possible amputation.